Prospect Park: Spot Edible Plants on a Sunday Foraging Walk

Meet at 11:00 AM on Sunday, Nov 22, at the stone benches by the Grand Army Plaza entrance, between the two eagle columns and across from the library. Violet Brill of the "Wildman" Steve Brill tours leads this walk until 2:00 PM. The class listing names hickory nuts, white oak acorns and black haw berries among the park's finds, along with burdock and chickweed. Bring plastic bags for greens, paper bags for mushrooms and a container for berries. You'll take some home.

The walk runs through lunchtime, and the official list says to bring your own lunch to eat on the trail. Zaytoons is the option once it ends at 2:00 PM, about eight minutes up Vanderbilt Avenue from the plaza, a Middle Eastern kitchen open until 9:30 PM on Sundays. Order the za'atar bread, pita baked with olive oil, thyme and herb seasoning, and a side of tabbouleh made with chopped parsley. The menu also runs falafel, lentil soup and baked pitza.

In 1986, undercover park rangers paid to join one of Steve Brill's Central Park walks, then arrested him for eating a dandelion. The Parks Department went on to hire him to run wild food tours from 1986 to 1990. The suggested donation is $25 for adults and $15 for kids under 12, paid in person at the meeting spot. Reserve a day ahead and call (914) 727-2552 the night before to confirm. Well-behaved dogs are welcome. Wear closed shoes, as poison ivy grows in the park. Can't make the 22nd? Steve leads the same Prospect Park walk on Nov 15 and Dec 5, and Violet returns Dec 13 and Dec 20.